Nothing wrong with asking. People throw out the whole "pine is bad" comment all the time, and yet, years ago we had snakes for 15 years on pine with no problems. The facts are that pine does contain a toxic substance in the oils and sap mainly. If there is too much of that substance in the wood, for example fresh-cut wood or like Don said, from those areas in the tree where concentration is greatest, then there could be a problem in a cage with low ventilation - i.e. many rack systems used today.

Aspen is safer definitely in this regard. But, clean dry pine in a cage with ample ventilation (what is ample? well, more than a shoebox with some holes) may not be a killer. For me though, all it takes is one breeder to report problems, and I figure to listen.

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